dangle

dangle (something) before (someone)

To try to entice someone with something. Dad dangled a few twenties before us , but we told him he'd have to pay more to get us to clean out the whole garage.

See also: before, dangle

dangle from (something)

To hang loosely from something, as if likely to fall. Can you straighten that picture before it falls? It's just dangling from the nail.

See also: dangle

dangle from something

to hang from something. A number of colorful glass balls dangled from the branches of the tree. Some loose threads dangled from the bottom of his jacket.

See also: dangle

dangle something before someone

 and dangle something in front of someone 

1. Lit. to tempt someone by dangling a tempting object in front of them. Don't dangle that string of pearls infront of me unless you intend to give them to me!

2. Fig. to lure someone with something. He dangled the keys before Wally, hoping to get him to drive. He dangled the money in front of Eric, hoping to make him change his mind.

See also: before, dangle

dangle something from something

to hang something loosely from something else. She dangled a few small bells from the bottom of her skirt during the holidays. I dangled a bit of fish from the window so I could see how high the cat would jump.

See also: dangle

dangle a carrot in front of someone

or

offer someone a carrot

COMMON If you dangle a carrot in front of someone or offer them a carrot, you try to persuade them to do something by offering them a reward. The team have dangled a $17 million carrot in front of the Italian to remain in North America. He is to offer the public a new carrot by reducing petrol prices. Note: The words carrot, dangle and offer are used in other structures and expressions with a similar meaning. Tax cuts may be offered as a carrot to voters ahead of the next election. The money's dangling there like a huge carrot, and you want to grab it. Note: The image here is of someone encouraging a donkey to move forward by holding a carrot in front of it.

See also: carrot, dangle, front, of

dingle(-dangle)

n. the penis. (Usually objectionable.) Come on, Billy. Shake your dingle and put it away.